Council approves hire of 3 new firefighters

WILLIAMSON — In its final meeting of the year, the Williamson City Council discussed a variety of topics, including approving the hire of three new volunteer firefighters Thursday night.

Williamson Fire Chief Jerry Mounts approached the council, and recommended that they approve the hiring of three men to become volunteer, part-pay firefighters with the Williamson Fire Department.

Chase Maynard, 20, of Hatfield, Ky., one of the new hires, was present with the chief, and answered a few questions for the council before its decision was made approving the hire.

The other two firefighters approved for hire were Glen Earnest, 23, and Timothy Hatcher, 26.

“We’re excited at the the fact that they’re all three young men,” Mayor Darrin McCormick said. “We’re enthused about young people coming in who want to live here, have families here and be a part of the community.”

The council, further into its meeting, also approved the appointment of two at-large members to the board of parks and recreation: County Commissioner John Mark Hubbard and Scott Poole.

Poole, as McCormick said, is “also another one of those young people we like to see.

The mayor also mentioned that the city would be sending out brief surveys with the next round of garbage bills regarding an option to recycle. He said that he would like the public’s opinion on the matter, which could reduce the city’s cost in handling garbage.

During the council’s remarks near the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Connie Rockel said that she had re-faxed the numbers of non-functioning pole lights in the city and had been in contact with Bryan Webb, with the West Virginia Division of Highways. According to her, Webb said that he hoped that “he wouldn’t have to hear from her after Jan. 31, 2013,” meaning that all the lights should be operating normally by then.

Councilman York Smith mentioned during his remarks that he had been in contact with Delegate Justin Marcum regarding the sidewalk in East End, saying that it needed to get fixed.

“Until you ride in a wheelchair, like I have, you don’t know how hard it is to get around,” Smith said.

Smith said he believed that Marcum would help the town in fixing the sidewalk. He said that he planned to speak with State Sen. H. Truman Chafin and also call Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s office about the sidewalk.

The councilman also sent thanks out to the DoH for fixing an issue with a drain on Seventh Avenue, saying that he appreciated the work they did.